By Marcy Stamper
The Okanogan County commissioners have started to review roads, primarily in the Okanogan Valley, that may be opened to wheeled all-terrain vehicles (WATVs).
County planners have developed a map of possible routes as a basis for discussions with the public and with federal, state, tribal and local entities.
The county has produced a map showing roads with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour (mph) or below, which are eligible under state law to be opened to the vehicles. The map also includes roads over 35 mph where the county may consider lowering the speed limit so they can become WATV routes.
Other roads on the map are not eligible for WATVs or are not under consideration, either because they’re not suitable or because they’re in the part of the county – primarily the Methow Valley – not currently being studied for new WATV routes.
After opening all 35-mph roads to the vehicles a few years ago, the commissioners had to close them to evaluate individual roads for suitability. In the end, the commissioners reopened 365 miles, primarily in northeastern Okanogan County. Roads adjacent to or leading to environmentally sensitive areas were eliminated from the WATV network.
There are 300 more miles in the county open to other types of off-road vehicles.
The commissioners have been evaluating potential routes by geographic area and commissioners’ district. The majority of the routes currently under consideration are in District 1, from Omak to Brewster, but the list may include roads west of the Loup Loup summit. A review of roads in District 2, which includes the Methow Valley, will come next.
The commissioners are holding a public meeting for input on the routes, with a brief presentation and a question-and-answer session.
The information they gather will be used to draft a proposal of ATV routes for formal public review.
The meeting is on Monday (July 30) at 6 p.m. in the commissioners’ auditorium in Okanogan.
A map of the proposed routes is available on the county’s website at www.okanogancounty.org by following the link for “County Roads Open for Off-Road Vehicles (ORV)” and then scrolling down toward the bottom of the page.
WATV, ORV penalties OKed
The Okanogan County commissioners have adopted increased penalties for unlawful WATV riding.
The commissioners enacted the enhanced penalties because they determined that the illegal operation of WATVs and other off-road vehicles (ORVs) is the leading cause of damage to critical areas and other environmentally sensitive areas. The operation of other types of motor vehicles off roads also contributes to this damage, according to the code amendment adopted on July 16.
Penalties are as follows:
• For operating a WATV or ORV on a non-designated roadway, the maximum fine is $ 250.
• For operating a WATV or ORV off a designated or undesignated roadway, the maximum fine is $500.
• For operating a WATV or ORV in an identified critical area or environmentally sensitive area off either a designated or undesignated roadway, the maximum fine is $1,000.
A list of roads open to WATVs and ORVs is available on the Okanogan County website. Anyone operating one of the vehicles must carry the list of approved roads.
